Single Sex School vs. Coed Schools

Introduction Are boys and girls distracted by one another in school? Are boys embarrassed to ask a question or do well in school when girls are present in their classrooms? Are girls more concerned with their looks and actions then class work, when boys are present? Are boys and girls better off in co-ed school or single sex schools? There are many arguments that support either side of this question. I have found that there are many advantages and disadvantages in both school settings. In the following I will present the problems in coeducational schools for boys, and will examine if single-sex schooling is the answer to their problems. I will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of single-sex schools, and the evidence of the benefits of single sex educations. Next, I will look at the experiences of Emil Pitkin and other first hand account of attending a single-sex school. Lastly, I will look at the advantages and benefits of attending a single-sex college. Problem with Schools for Boys It is often thought that school and learning should be synonymous. However, Sommers find that in recent years this has not been the case, for boys anyway. The gender gap used to favor boys, but now girls outperform boys in almost ever

"A boy at Belmont Hill is not considered any less masculine if he prefers singing in the glee club or performing in the school play over athletes," says Mr. Now that perception is changing, classrooms, curriculums, and cultures can be tailored to the need of both the girls and the boys. However, most boys interviewed from a single-sex school did not agree with this belief. While boys are declining in academics, girls are excelling. Girls are earning better grades, scoring higher on their SAT"tms, and taking home the majority of America"tms bachelor"tms degrees (Wolcott). According to research done by the Northeastern University Center for Labor Market Studied, the ratio in 2000 was 128 female undergraduates for every 100 males. When girls are not present in school, it creates a culture where boys forget the pressures to be macho and allows them to realize there are other ways to be a boy. made a decision as an eighth grader to attend The Roxbury Latin School in Boston"tms West Roxbury. Along with the criticism and disbelief from his friends, he was also scrutinized but adults, because he was going to an all boy"tms school. This may be the answer to the problems that they are having in the coed schools. Emil is now a junior at the Roxbury Latin School and has no regrets. Also, 81 percent of the graduates of women"tms colleges have continued their education beyond college (The Women"tms College Advantage). According to the Women"tms College Coalition, research shows that students who attend a women"tms college enjoy five benefits. Hawley says "I have never been more certain that boys"tm schools are the way to go given what boys are dealing with now" (Wolcott).